Pilot Cyclic Stick Tube Cracking
- Published
AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.
What to do
Owners, operators, and maintainers of Bell 206, 407, and 427 helicopters should perform the inspections and corrective actions outlined in the applicable Bell Alert Service Bulletins: ASB 206-23-142 Revision A for Bell 206A/B, ASB 206L-23-187 Revision A for Bell 206L series, and ASB 427-23-46 Revision A for Bell 427. They must also comply with Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-2024-18. Additionally, any discovery of service difficulties must be reported to Transport Canada via a Service Difficulty Report within Canada or according to local requirements outside Canada.
Summary
Transport Canada Civil Aviation Safety Alert CASA 2025-09 is a safety alert addressing pilot cyclic stick tube cracking on Bell Textron Canada Limited model 206, 407, and 427 helicopters. The alert highlights reports of fatigue cracks in the pilot cyclic stick tube, particularly part number 206-001-342-101, with a focus on the Bell 407 model where excessive force during control checks causes stress fractures. The document informs operators and maintainers about the issue and references Bell Alert Service Bulletins for inspection and corrective actions.
What changed
This new safety alert introduces awareness of pilot cyclic stick tube cracking due to excessive force applied during prestart checks, which leads to fatigue fractures in the upper slotted area of the cyclic stick tube. It mandates compliance with Bell Alert Service Bulletins and Transport Canada Airworthiness Directive CF-2024-18, requiring one-time detailed inspections and necessary repairs or replacements. The alert also extends recommended inspections to Bell 206 and 427 models due to potential susceptibility despite lower applied loads.
Why it matters
This alert is critical for aviation professionals because undetected cracks in the pilot cyclic stick tube can compromise flight control integrity, posing safety risks. Operators, maintainers, and compliance teams must ensure timely inspections and corrective actions to prevent in-flight failures. Adhering to the alert and related directives helps maintain airworthiness and regulatory compliance, reducing the risk of accidents and service disruptions.
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